EDUCATION IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND LEADERSHIP FOR PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES, A REPORT OF THE FUND FOR ADULT EDUCATION AND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE PROJECT.

Federal Extension Service (USDA), Washington, DC.

A PILOT PROJECT (JULY 1959-DECEMBER 1961), AIMED AT NEW WAYS TO ADVANCE EDUCATION FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND LEADERSHIP IN THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, WAS CONDUCTED IN 12 COUNTIES OF SIX STATES. PROGRAM CONSULTANTS RECEIVED TEN WEEKS TRAINING BUILT AROUND A SEMINAR ON CURRENT ISSUES AND ACTIVITIES, AND FOLLOWED BY ORIENTATION CONFERENCES. CONSULTANTS ASSISTED COUNTY EXTENSION STAFF MEMBERS IN PLANNING, ORGANIZING, CONDUCTING, AND REPORTING PROJECT ACTIVITIES. THE EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT, CONDUCTED PRINCIPALLY DURING 1963-64, INDICATED DEFINITE PROGRAM CHANGES IN ELEVEN OF THE COUNTIES (MAINLY IN ORGANIZATION, ACTION, EVALUATION, SUBJECT CONTENT, AND BROADENED CLIENTELE BASE), AND LOCAL ACHIEVEMENTS IN SUCH AREAS AS GOVERNMENTAL AND SCHOOL CHANGE, CIVIC PARTICIPATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS. FORUMS AND SHORT COURSES WERE THE MOST EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDUCATION, BUT WERE USED LITTLE. THE CONSULTANTS' OWN TRAINING SEEMED GENERALLY ADEQUATE. OBSTACLES TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT WERE FELT TO BE THE SHORTNESS OF THE TWO AND ONE-HALF YEAR PERIOD, A LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CONSULTANTS AND COUNTY AGENTS, AND LACK OF ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM. (DOCUMENT INCLUDES A BUDGET ESTIMATE AND 6 TABLES). (LY)